City outlines goals and timeline for HNI property RFP: 75–90 homes targeted

Community Development Director Jody Royal Goodwin briefed the Muscatine City Council on Jan. 6 about the city's plans for the HNI-donated property and the projected procurement schedule for developer selection.

"We're going to release the RFQ on or about February 12, with responses due back on or about March 30 when we'll start the evaluation of those coming back in April for council to act on a preferred developer partner," Goodwin said. The fact sheet presented to council lists project goals that include creating a pedestrian-friendly residential subdivision integrated with the trail system, green space, a mix of smaller housing types (no large multifamily) and consideration of a potential Fire Station No. 3 site.

Goodwin said the target housing count is approximately 75 to 90 homes with income targeting in the roughly $75,000 to $150,000 range and emphasized features to support aging-in-place and ownership. Goodwin asked council members to review the draft goals and send feedback to staff; the draft materials will be distributed to council the following morning.

The city's planned procurement schedule: RFQ/RFP release (about Feb. 12), responses due (about March 30), evaluation and recommendation to council in April. Goodwin said staff will return to council later for action to select a developer partner based on those submissions.

Council members thanked staff for the summary and asked for additional review time; no formal council action was taken on the HNI property during the Jan. 6 meeting.